Pakistan Opposition to Stage Nationwide Protests Over Controversial Constitutional Amendment

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Pakistan's opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), is planning a nationwide protest in response to the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment grants broad new powers to Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, making him the Chief of Defence Forces and bringing the Navy and Air Force under his command. The opposition, led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), held a key parliamentary party meeting to discuss the amendment, which they believe undermines the judiciary and the country's democratic institutions. Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser stated, 'The participants unanimously agreed that the incumbent government is not capable of running the country... the country is at the verge of a civil war.' The 27th Constitutional Amendment, signed by President Asif Ali Zardari on November 13, creates a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) with its own chief justice appointed by the government. This court will handle constitutional matters, disputes between governments, and many petitions previously heard by the Supreme Court, effectively taking over key Supreme Court functions. The opposition alliance, which includes PTI and other parties, will announce its joint protest plan after a meeting scheduled for Friday. The protests are a response to what they see as an unprecedented erosion of power and a threat to the country's democratic system.